Editor’s Note: This is the four and final story in a series about childhood cancer awareness month. A story on Sept. 5 highlighted two pediatric cancer survivors. A story on Sept. 8 focused on events. A story on Sept. 12 focused on the Press On Fund and its efforts to raise money for childhood cancer research.
The butterfly is steeped in meaning.
“Butterflies are symbolic of metamorphosis and change,” said Chris Dexter, at the AlexStrong Foundation childhood cancer awareness event Sept. 18 at St. Mary on the Hill Catholic School. “They also have a lot of spiritual meaning.”
People often associate the butterfly with a loved one who has died, he said. They see a butterfly that appears and lingers as a sign of the loved one’s presence.
While he appeared composed as he talked about the butterfly and read a poem, Dexter said later that underneath his calm exterior, he was trying to hold it together.
The emotions welled up and tried to spill out.
“I could feel it coming up,” he said.
The Dexter family knows childhood cancer firsthand.
Chris and Erin Dexter’s son, Alex, was 10 months old when he was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in August 2019. He’d gone to the ER with a swollen stomach, and an ultrasound revealed a tumor in his right kidney.
Alex underwent chemotherapy, then surgery to remove the tumor. He also lost his kidney. He showed some progress, but his parents would soon hear the heart-wrenching news that his cancer had spread, coating his brain and spinal cord.
By July 2020, it was clear that the best course of treatment was none, according to Alex’s story on the AlexStrong Foundation’s website. The foundation named in his honor.
Alex died in August 2020 and was buried on the anniversary of the diagnosis.
Erin Dexter said they want people to be aware of childhood cancer because it effects a lot of families.
“One in 285 children will be diagnosed with cancer before their 20th birthday,” she said.
Other activities during the event included that also a fun walk/run through the Augusta University campus as well as arts, crafts and refreshments at St. Mary’s.
“We’re so grateful to everyone who came to support this,” said Erin Dexter.
About 150 people pre-registered for the walk/run.
Children were asked to draw something uplifting or inspirational that Erin Dexter said would be taken to the Children’s Hospital of Georgia.
Another goal of the event was to raise money for a pediatric bone marrow transplant unit at the Children’s Hospital of Georgia.
“That would be a huge thing for families. Right now, they have to drive to Atlanta or Columbia,” said Chris Dexter.
The Dexters said they hope the event will become an annual one. They hope to expand it to include other families’ whose children have had cancer or are currently undergoing treatment.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the features editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com.
